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Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Bedford, PA
A serious accident does not just leave you with physical pain. It can drain your savings, take you out of work, and turn even the simplest daily routines into a struggle. If you were hurt because of someone else’s carelessness in or around Bedford, Pennsylvania, you deserve a legal team that takes the time to understand your story, builds a strong case, and fights for every dollar you are owed.
At Gieg & Jancula, our personal injury lawyers have proudly served clients across Pennsylvania for more than 80 years. From our office on N. Logan Boulevard in Altoona, we represent injured people throughout Bedford County, including the Borough of Bedford, Everett, Hyndman, Schellsburg, and the surrounding rural communities. We take a client-centered approach that puts your needs and goals at the center of every decision we make.
If you or a loved one was injured in Bedford County, do not wait to get answers. Call Gieg & Jancula today at 814-946-1606 for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will not owe attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Choose Gieg & Jancula for Your Bedford County Injury Claim
Choosing the right law firm after a serious accident is one of the most important decisions you will make. Bedford County residents have plenty of options, but few firms can match the depth of experience, local familiarity, and personal attention that Gieg & Jancula offers.
More Than 80 Years of Pennsylvania Trial Experience
Our firm has built an 80-plus year reputation in central Pennsylvania by winning real results for real people. Attorneys Michael N. Gieg and Christopher R. Jancula have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injury victims throughout the region, including a $3.3 million wrongful death recovery and a $1.6 million settlement for a pedestrian struck by a delivery truck. We are not afraid to take cases to trial, and insurance companies know it.
Insider Knowledge of Insurance Tactics
Before joining the firm, one of our partners spent years defending insurance companies in injury claims. That insider perspective gives our team a clear advantage when negotiating with adjusters who use the same playbook to undervalue or deny claims. We anticipate their tactics, document around them, and push back hard when they try to lowball Bedford County clients.
A Local Firm That Understands Bedford County
Bedford County is unique. With a small population spread across more than 1,000 square miles of rolling Allegheny terrain, accidents here often involve rural state routes, two-lane highways, and emergency response times that can stretch longer than in urban areas. We understand the geography, the courts, and the realities of how these cases unfold in this part of Pennsylvania. We regularly handle matters that move through the Bedford County Court of Common Pleas at the historic courthouse on S. Juliana Street.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Bedford County
Our personal injury practice covers a wide range of accidents and injuries. No matter how your accident happened, we have likely handled a case like it before.
Car Accidents on Bedford County Roads
Bedford County sits at the crossroads of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76), Interstate 99, and U.S. Route 30, which means a steady flow of long-haul, commuter, and tourist traffic moves through the area every day. Crashes at busy interchanges near the Turnpike’s Exit 146, on the steep grades along I-99, or on rural stretches of US-30 are unfortunately common. According to PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics, the state continues to record more than 100,000 reportable crashes each year, and rural crashes are disproportionately likely to result in fatal or serious injuries. Our car accident lawyers handle every type of collision, from rear-end crashes and intersection T-bones to high-speed highway pile-ups.
Truck Accidents and Commercial Vehicle Crashes
The Turnpike and I-99 corridor turn Bedford County into a major freight route. Tractor-trailers, tankers, and heavy commercial trucks share these roads with passenger vehicles every hour of the day. When an 80,000-pound truck is involved in a crash, the injuries can be catastrophic. Our truck accident attorneys know how to investigate driver logs, electronic control module data, hours-of-service violations, and trucking company hiring practices to identify every party that may be responsible.
Motorcycle Accidents in the Allegheny Mountains
The scenic two-lane roads winding through Bedford County, including stretches of US-30 and PA-31, draw motorcyclists from across the Mid-Atlantic. Unfortunately, distracted drivers, blind curves, and unmaintained shoulders often leave riders seriously hurt through no fault of their own. Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the bias riders sometimes face from insurance carriers and juries, and we know how to overcome it.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Property owners across Bedford, including hotels around Bedford Springs, restaurants along the Lincoln Highway, retail centers, and rental properties, have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe. When ice goes untreated, stairs are not maintained, or hazards are ignored, serious falls can result in broken bones, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries.
Wrongful Death Claims
When an accident takes a loved one’s life, no amount of money can fill the void. What we can do is hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue the financial security your family needs. Our wrongful death lawyers handle these cases with the sensitivity and skill they require, and we have recovered seven-figure verdicts and settlements for grieving Pennsylvania families.
Other Injury Cases
We also represent clients hurt in bicycle accidents, pedestrian crashes, construction site incidents, defective product cases, dog attacks, nursing home neglect, and inadequate security claims. If you are not sure whether you have a case, give us a call. Initial consultations are free.
Pennsylvania Personal Injury Laws Bedford County Residents Should Know
Pennsylvania law sets the rules that govern your case, and a small mistake at the start can hurt your recovery later. Here are a few of the most important rules every Bedford County resident should understand.
The Two-Year Statute of Limitations
In most Pennsylvania personal injury cases, you have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is set by 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. If you miss it, you almost certainly lose your right to compensation forever, no matter how strong your case is. Different deadlines apply to claims involving government entities, minors, and certain medical malpractice cases, so it is critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Modified Comparative Negligence
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are 50 percent or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $200,000 and a jury finds you 20 percent at fault, you would receive $160,000. If you are 51 percent or more at fault, you recover nothing, which is why insurance companies work so hard to shift blame onto you.
Limited and Full Tort Auto Insurance
Pennsylvania is one of the few states with a “choice no-fault” auto insurance system. Drivers select either “limited tort” or “full tort” coverage on their policy. Limited tort drivers usually cannot sue for pain and suffering unless their injuries meet the legal definition of “serious injury,” while full tort drivers can pursue the full range of damages. Important exceptions can apply, even for limited tort drivers, when the at-fault driver was drunk, driving an out-of-state vehicle, or hit you while you were a pedestrian. We carefully evaluate every option for our Bedford County clients.
Compensation Available in a Bedford, PA Personal Injury Case
Every case is different, but Pennsylvania law generally allows injury victims to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the measurable financial impact of your injury, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, in-home care, prescription medications, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury. We work with treating physicians, vocational experts, and life-care planners to make sure these numbers are calculated accurately and presented persuasively.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the human cost of an injury. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium for spouses. While they cannot be reduced to a receipt, they are often the largest component of a serious injury case.
Punitive Damages
In a small subset of cases, where the at-fault party acted with reckless disregard for human safety, Pennsylvania law allows juries to award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. These are designed to punish egregious conduct, such as drunk driving, intentional violence, or knowing concealment of a dangerous defect.
For examples of recoveries we have obtained for clients across Pennsylvania, visit our case results page.
What to Do After an Accident in Bedford County
The hours and days after an accident are critical, and the steps you take can make or break your case.
1. Get Medical Attention Right Away
Your health comes first. If you are seriously hurt, call 911 and accept transport. Bedford County is served by UPMC Bedford Memorial in Everett, with larger trauma capabilities at UPMC Altoona and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown. Even if you feel “okay,” see a doctor within 24 hours. Many injuries, including concussions, soft tissue injuries, and internal bleeding, do not show symptoms immediately, and gaps in treatment give insurance companies an excuse to argue that you were not really hurt.
2. Report the Accident
Call the Pennsylvania State Police or the local department that has jurisdiction. If the crash happened on the Turnpike, the State Police will respond. Insist on an official report, even for “minor” crashes. The crash report is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in your case.
3. Document Everything
If you can do so safely, take photographs of the vehicles, the scene, debris patterns, road conditions, traffic signals, and your visible injuries. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Save your receipts. Keep a written journal of how the injury affects your daily life.
4. Be Careful With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters, even your own, are trained to limit payouts. Do not give a recorded statement, sign a medical authorization, or accept a quick settlement before talking with a lawyer. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back for more, even if your injuries turn out to be far worse than they first appeared.
5. Call a Local Personal Injury Lawyer
The sooner you involve experienced counsel, the more we can do to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and protect your claim. Get in touch with Gieg & Jancula through our contact page or by phone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases in Bedford, PA
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer at Gieg & Jancula?
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free, and there is no obligation to hire us after we discuss your case. This arrangement allows Bedford County residents to access experienced legal representation without worrying about up-front costs.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. Shorter deadlines may apply when a government agency is involved, and different rules govern claims for minors and certain medical malpractice matters. Because deadlines can be complicated, it is best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover damages as long as you were 50 percent or less responsible for the accident. Your final award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to exaggerate a victim’s fault to reduce their payout, which is one of the main reasons it is important to work with an experienced injury lawyer.
Will my Bedford County case have to go to court?
Most personal injury claims settle out of court, but some require litigation in the Bedford County Court of Common Pleas or another appropriate venue. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, which often pushes insurance companies to offer fair settlements rather than face a jury. If trial becomes necessary, our attorneys are ready and experienced.
Talk to a Bedford, PA Personal Injury Lawyer Today
You only get one chance to handle your injury claim correctly. The decisions you make in the first days and weeks after a Bedford County accident can shape the rest of your life. Choose a firm with the experience, resources, and local knowledge to protect your future.
For more than 80 years, Gieg & Jancula has stood up for injured Pennsylvanians and delivered the kind of personal, courteous service that big-city firms cannot match. We will sit down with you, listen to your story, explain your options in plain English, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Call Gieg & Jancula today at 814-946-1606 for your free consultation, or contact us online to schedule a meeting. Our office is conveniently located at 401 N. Logan Boulevard in Altoona, just a short drive from Bedford County via I-99. There are no fees unless we win your case.